Friday, January 04, 2008

Across the Years 48-hour Run

Well, I completed my first 48-hour run. My goal was 150 miles, and that's what I did. It was a fairly good race for me. Here's a brief summary of what I learned.

First, there were so many outstanding performances witnessed at ATY - Tracy,Juli, Debbie, Alene, Scott, Hans, Tim, Tony, John...just to name some of thetop runners. They simply kept going and going and going. It was amazing!

Of course, Lynn Newton was inspirational as were SO many others. I will neverunderestimate the power of a slow steady gait and simple relentless forwardmotion.

It was quite a pleasure to have made many circles with Ray K and listen tohis stories. He even listened to a few of mine too. :) His journey of 200miles was all impressive. He knew exactly what he had to do and how muchtime he had to do it, and he never faltered (or if he did, I never saw it). In case it hasn't been said, driving home cross country after his 72 hourrace is about as insane as it gets! I didn't even make it through theairport without a sympathetic older woman asking me if she could help withmy bags.

I remain very impressed by everyone's determination and ability to dig deepto find the next resurrection that got them back onto the course for more.

Here are my lessons in brief:

1) It gets c-c-c-cold in AZ at night. It's normally not this cold, but I was nevertheless prepared for bitter cold. In fact, I don't know how I could have prepared better. I had all the right gear, but after the first night, I just couldn't generate enough heat to stay warm. When my running was reduced to a shuffle and then a slow walk, I simply could not stay warm despite 6 layers of clothes including a down jacket. The first night was tolerable; the second night did me in. It was eventually the cold to which I succumbed. That and the exhaustion.

2) I didn't sleep enough. In fact, I didn't sleep and that was a bigmistake. I don't get tired at 24 hour races. Nevertheless, knowing I'dhave to rest for 48 hours, I forced myself to lay down around the 100 milemark. However, 10 minutes of laying down with my feet up only reminded myof how much my feet and tendons hurt. I had to get up; I simply couldn'tsleep. Unfortunately, it was a mistake. I started falling asleep on thecourse, leaning into the bushes on one side and walking smack damn into thechain-linked fence on the other. (I was comforted that I wasn't the onlyone doing this.) I tried again to sleep the next night, but just couldn't. Next time (YEP, there absolutely WILL be a next time despite my grumblingsof "never again" on the course!), I will schedule in some longer breaks,bring a tent, and wear ear plugs. Sleep will help me deal with the cold too.

3) My goal was 150 miles. My "training" was horrendous, almost non-existentafter taking several months off after Badwater. My non-running life hasbeen stressful. So, I started with something less than a full tank. Icould have pushed beyond my goal but, like Tracy mentioned, I didn't want torisk permanent injury (I had a tibialis anterior tendinitis from mile 40on), and I wanted to be able to recover from this race. I struggledmightily with the decision of whether to stop at 150 or push on to 168, andwhile I am disappointed that I didn't push, I am also happy that I amrecovering and will be able to resume some real training soon. It was theright decision.

4) As the hours passed, it became increasingly difficult to make racedecisions, especially the second night. I couldn't decide what to wear, eator drink or even if I should go another loop. It never even crossed my mindto take in caffeine to help stay awake despite that I had lots of thatavailable. Similarly, I neglected to take any of the four different kindsof ginger that I had the Zombies deliver to the race when I becamenauseated. I should have been much more methodological in my planning. Iam eternally grateful to David Lygre who helped crew the latter part of thesecond day. His support was invaluable. If not for him, I might still bewandering around in a daze on the manor grounds.

5) This was one of the best directed races I have run. Paul Bonnett and thenumerous volunteers, including the ever present Dave Combs, were second tonone. And what a glorious New Year's celebration at midnight! There was noplace I would rather have been. Truly the best New Years celebration ever!

6) Receiving email messages was one of the most helpful perks of this race. I can't thank my friends, family, and co-workers for all their support. Itconstantly reminded me how blessed I am to have such wonderful people in mylife who, despite what they think about me running around in circles fordays, still support and encourage me.

7) It's difficult for me to rely on other people's help but I learned that alittle humility goes a long way. I took advantage of the medical tent andgot my ankle wrapped at mile 40. I couldn't have done the job myself. Without Alan's medical help, my race would have been over. I also came torely on Phil Rosenstein's advice to help me stay awake and keep moving. Heand some of the other aid volunteers got me fueled up and moving again. What a humble joy to receive help from someone who had to end his own racedue to injury.

8) While not a new lesson, I must add that the performances I witnessed atATY solidifies my contention that ultrarunners and their supporters aredetermined, altruistic, supportive, fun, crazy people, and I love 'em!

Thank you, thank you to all ATY runners and volunteers, Paul Bonnett and Rodger Wrublik. It was for me the perfect way to start off the new year. And I think it'sgoing to be a good one!

10 comments:

gtach
said...

nice work, lisa! it was fun following how everyone was doing. i'm so glad you posted this because while following the races, the big unknowns were...how was everyone feeling, what was going through their minds, any problems/no problems, why did they stop early, how's their brain working/is it working???...and your post filled in all those blanks. congratulations and happy new year!!! : )

Thanks, Glenn. And thank you so much for all your emails that I got while on the course. The one that made me laugh the loudest was the one telling me not to let the satyr catch me! Haha! I burst into laughter and ran the next loop with a cheezy grin on my face. Most excellent! And also, thank you for the very cool holiday card. That one's going in a frame on my Badwater shelf. You're the best!Happy New Year too.

Awesome job at ATY, Lisa! It was so much fun to follow your progress send messages. I was really tempted to ask to use the computer at NYE party I was at so I could send you a message right at midnight!

Yay, you're back up where we can tune in -- you probably have been for awhile, sorry for my being out of the orbit -but anyway, you are amazing at what you can do on practically no training. You got that? Ay-may-zing!!! Wow. That's all I really have to say. Wow. And sorry I didn't post while you were running ATY. I was fighting some hip deep snow kind of like your Xmas tree pic! good to have ya back, kid!

About Me

I am an ultra runner, physician and have been medical director of some of the toughest ultras. I tend to be a mover and a shaker and louder than my size suggests. However, my Gemini twin is gentler and contemplative, an artist, a writer, and a poet. I am a dog lover, a believer in souls, and have a special affinity for those who struggle because I have been there.

This is my crazy lovable huggable Weimaraner, Steely Dan. I call him Steely. He left us in January of this year at only 6 years from lymphoma that did not respond to chemotherapy treatments. Steely was a total goof. He loved trail running, road running, treadmill running, new experiences, making eye contact, sleeping on his back, me, kids, and liver treats. He was Zappa's best friend. We miss him dearly.

This is Stella. A rescue from the shelter. She's about 6 months old and a Border Collie. She is a joyous bundle of energy and curiosity and now also Zappa best friend. She will make a nice running partner when she grows up.

This is the now the big brother of my family - a rescued Greyhound. His name is Frank Zappa. I call him Zappa. He's 7 years old and has learned all about life beyond the track and crate from Steely when he was with us. It was very rewarding to watch his personality bloom as he settled into the family. And yes, he runs like the wind!

This is Natasha, my dearest friend. She was with me through college, medical school, residency, and she moved with me from Chicago to Spokane several years ago. She was my best running partner for 10 years. My sweet Natasha died from bone cancer in 2006. I miss her still. I hung a windchimes over the deck outside. When it chimes, I smile and think she has finally -- wherever she is now -- caught a squirrel!